September 2 TRIFACTOR: BILLY BANG, KAHIL EL ZABAR, AND BLUIETT Griping about Lincoln Center's banishment of outcats will be quelled for a moment; as the unusual blend of violinist Billy Bang and baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett resounds through the North Plaza, it will be given a groove by percussionist Kahil El Zabar. Each is a go-getter when it comes to extended techniques, meaning their instruments are used in ways inventive enough to have earned all three the designation of "experimentalists."

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August 4 MCCOY TYNER (Castle Clinton) Some music is geared to sound just as strong outdoors as it is indoors. The pianist's modal magnificence has never had a problem reaching for the sky; the first time I ever caught him somewhere in the '70s around the time of Atlantishe created swell after swell of 10-fingered tenacity. That's exactly what he'll do here. Maybe having his current ensemble pointing its collective oomph at the waters of New York's harbor will generate extra inspiration.

(check)June 14-19 The tenth edition of this annual affair finds the post-loft aesthetic in good hands, the alignment of its participants bringing a cultural weight to an underground music that often goes unnoticed by the mainstream. For six days compelling veterans such as trumpeter Bill Dixon and violinist Leroy Jenkins share bills with younger free improvisers. This year, there's a hat tip to Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson, and the overall lineup looks especially rich.